2020/02/04 by Shimon Sakaguchi, Norihisa Mikami, James B. Wing +3 · 14 citations
Immunology and Microbiology · #T-cell and B-cell Immunology #Immune Cell Function and Interaction #Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
paper · doi:10.1146/annurev-immunol-042718-041717
openalex publication_date 2020/02/04 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
regulatory T cells (Tregs), which specifically express the transcription factor FoxP3 in the nucleus and CD25 and CTLA-4 on the cell surface, are a functionally distinct T cell subpopulation actively engaged in the maintenance of immunological self-tolerance and homeostasis. Recent studies have facilitated our understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of their generation, function, phenotypic and functional stability, and adaptability. It is under investigation in humans how functional or numerical Treg anomalies, whether genetically determined or environmentally induced, contribute to immunological diseases such as autoimmune diseases. Also being addressed is how Tregs can be targeted to control physiological and pathological immune responses, for example, by depleting them to enhance tumor immunity or by expanding them to treat immunological diseases. This review discusses our current understanding of Treg immunobiology in normal and disease states, with a perspective on the realization of Treg-targeting therapies in the clinic.